After today’s speech by the first minister it is good to be able to say to you that you can open your flying fields again from tomorrow. We as a council have some information (below) and Guidelines for your clubs to consider, they are not direction but guidelines that you can tweak to suit your club location and needs. We have also attached (below) the governments route map out of lockdown as it breaks down how we will move forward out of this situation. So, if you can pass on this to your members it is appreciated.

If you have a cough or are unwell in any way – or indeed if you have been in contact recently with anyone else displaying these symptoms. Any member who has had the virus, or thinks they might have had it and recovered, should consider whether they should be at the field in the first place. We need to keep in mind the governments guidelines on travel for leisure and exercise. At the moment they say you should stay in your local area and that should be broadly 5 miles. So that is up to individuals to check if their flying field is BROADLY in a 5 Mile radius of their home. I am in contact with the government trying to get a better definition than Broadly. They have advised that although it won’t be illegal to travel further than 5 miles they ask that we do not. Permitted to travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but advice to stay within a short distance of your local community (broadly within 5 miles) and travel by walk, wheel and cycle where possible.

Club Guidelines

Safety and Protection

1

Each member should have their own PPE with them. This should include hand sanitizing gel, and may include gloves and masks as they see fit.

2

Disinfectant spray will be in the peg board cabinet. First person on site can spray the gates. Or use wipes brought with them.

3

All wipes gloves and any other rubbish must be taken home by each member.

4

Each member needs to bring their own first aid kit as access to the container is not available.

5

It is recommended that a mobile phone is on your person at all times whilst at the club during these times. Please have your ICE contact setup.

6

Container

No access to the container except for maintenance operations.

Car Park

1

Main gate to be closed but not locked to prevent visitors

2

Cars used as shelters and parked one car width apart. Social distancing rules apply so perhaps 2 car widths.

3

The picnic benches have been resited to give 2 mtr separation allowing them to be used.

4

The number of people on site will be from 2 households, as most members are individuals that for most times will be 2.

Equipment

1

Each member must arrive at the field fully equipped so no equipment is shared. This means ensuring you are fully prepared for all eventualities.

2

Ensure model is ready for flight: do not arrive at field with radio not

bound, controls not set up/adjusted, fail safe not set, etc. as no

physical help will be available.

Site Protocols

1

Only club members on site, no visitors. Any members of the public who may try and visit should be asked tactfully to leave, and return after the complete lifting of the lockdown

2

Only one set up bench is used at a time.

3

Only alternative bays on the pits are used.

4

Only two flyers allowed on the pilot stance two metres apart

5

Pilot’s stance is marked out with paint to ensure distancing.

6

Starting tables will be located sufficiently far apart: all activities must maintain 2m separation (allow room for manoeuvring around model etc) Using one table at a time should cover this.

Training

1

Training can continue but only on buddy leads or wirelessly. As we have at this point in time been advised 2 households can meet, in response to Mark W him and Arran can attend.

2

Instructors can have the slot after their training slot to allow them access to a flying session.

There is a rumour going around that SAA members insurance has been cancelled during the Covid -19 outbreak. The SAA would like to make it perfectly clear that this is incorrect.

There are also members who are not understanding the government guidelines and are trying to find ways to get around the guidelines to visit a flying field, we have now checked with our insurers and their response is below.

Our insurance is still under the same conditions of DRES i.e. you will be insured as long as you are in compliance with all the laws pertaining to our activities. At this time the police have the power to stop and ask you your reasons for travelling, travelling to a model flying field is not regarded an essential journey as it is like driving to a location away from your house to go a walk. Neither is flying model aircraft regarded as exercise, on a further note from the insurers, should a modeller whilst flying infect someone else with covid 19 there will be no insurance cover for that.

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Coronovirus - Update - All SAA Clubs to close.

The SAA Council would like to advise all members that in light of the statements by Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon made on Monday 23rd March 2020 we are now in a lockdown situation. Under the terms of the lockdown clubs are to close till such times as the current situation is amended by the authorities.

SAA and Club Events 2020

Please note that all events, Competitions and Training previously on the SAA calendar are to be cancelled (at present) and the Events page and calendar are not available until further notice.

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The government’s latest update (Friday evening) is closing all pubs, restaurants, cinema’s, theatres, gyms, leisure centres, cafes. Their scientific person advised that social interaction should be kept to a minimum, but if you are out and with others social distancing should be paramount with the minimum distance now being advised at 2 mtrs. She also advised frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitiser, also you should not touch other peoples equipment.

In view of this advice at this time, it is up to each member to decide if they wish to go to the flying fields and clubs and if they do they must follow the advice for their own safety. This applies especially to the over 70’s as advised by the government as they have a diminished immune system regardless of how fit they may feel. See the guidance below.

1 - water ingress.Safety Notice. This has come to their attention due to the AAIB, and involves the loss of control of multirotor small unmanned aircraft. The AAIB concluded that the cause in each case was a result of water ingress into the aircraft.

2 - flying directly over uninvolved people. Safety Notice. The investigation of several UAS incidents has highlighted a requirement to provide better guidance for remote pilots of small unmanned aircraft when flying over uninvolved people in accordance with Air Navigation Order 2016 (ANO) article 95

SAA DRES Registration

We would like to remind everyone to return their completed SAA DRES registration form (to the SAA membership secretary) as soon as possible please. The returns for 2020 have been less than expected and a number, unfortunately have missing e-mail addresses which is going to cause delays for those applicants. If you have trouble finding the form then it can be found below,